Drum and the like



R. 0. DANLY;

DRUM AND THE LIKE.

1,356,193. APPLICATION FILED NOV- 28, I919. 19

3 SHEElS-SHEET l.

R. C. DANLY.

DRUM AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.'28, 1919.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' R. C. DANLY.

DRUM AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION HLED Nov. 28, 1919.

1,356,193. Patented Oct. 19,1920.

3 SHEE1SSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT C. DANLY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LUDWIG & LUDWIG', OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DRUM AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1920.

Application filed November 28, 1919. Serial No. 341,036.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT C. DANLY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of (Jook, State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drums andthe like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of tuning mechanism for musicalinstruments in which the tension or tone of sound producing membrane isadapted for ready regulation by the player, an example of whichconstitutes the subject matter of Letters Patent No. 1,054,009, issuedFebruary 25, 1913, to William F. Ludwig, and the present improvement hasfor its object:

To provide a structural formation and association of parts adapted; toimpose a uniform outward tensioning stress upon the sound producingmembrane of a musical instrument in a simple and effective manner, andin which the required initial and main tensioning stresses on saidmembrane can be readily effected and maintained, and with which theadjusting means can be fastened at any desired point in its adjustmentin an effective manner and capable of ready release by the operator, allas will hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1, is an elevation, with parts in section, illustrating thepreferred construction of the invention as applied to a kettle drum.

Fig. 2, is a detail elevation of the windlass drum of the mechanism.

Fig. 3, is a top view of the kettle drum and mechanism.

Fig. 4, is a detail elevation of one of the primary claw or shackle barsof the membrane tensioning means.

Fig. 5, is a detail elevation of the carriage or spider of the Windlassdrum above referred to.

Fig. 6, is a detail sectional elevation of the lower portion of thekettle drum, supporting frame and mechanism, in a plane at right anglesto the plane of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the Windlass drum andcarriage above referred to.

Fig. 8, is a sectional plan view of line 8-8, Fig, 1, of the universaljoint which connects the drum carrying spider with the supporting frameof the instrument.

F 1g. 9, is a detail top view of the supporting frame, with parts of themechanism 1n place, and with parts of the mechanism removed.

Fig. 10, is a detail plan of the multiple sheave head which forms theintermediate connection between the main tension number and the seriesof radial secondary tension numbers of the mechanism.

Fig. 11, is a detail section on line 1111, Fig. 10.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the main shell or body of a drumor like musical instrument, of any usual and suitable form, the openingof which is closed by the usual resonating head or membrane 2 which isstretched over a rounded rim or margin of said opening. To such end themargin of the head or membrane 2 is attached in any usual manner to anadjustable straining hoop or ring 3 fitting and moving outside the mainshell or body 1 as shown.

4 designates a circularly spaced series of claw or shackle hooks havingengagement at their upper ends with the ring or hoop 3 aforesaid throughadjustable bearing screws 5, which permit of individual adjustment ofthe instrument. The claw or shackle hooks 4 are connected to the shellor body 1 in an adjustable manner by means of a series of individualpurl cords or connections 6, which are operatively connected to a commonmeans for effecting a simultaneous pull on the entire series of cords orconnections 6. The scope of this part of the invention embraces anyusual and suitable means for effecting the above mentioned simultaneouspulling action on the series of cords or connections 6, the preferredconstruction and association of parts as shown in the drawings comprisesparts and structures as follows 7, designates a series of bearingsheaves j ournalled on the exterior of the main shell or body 1, andaround which the series of cords or connections 6 pass and extend intothe interior of the shell or body 1 in the radial manner shown in Figs.1 and 3.

8 designates a central connecting head or spider to which the inner endsor terminals of the series of cords or connections 6 are attached,preferably by a. twin or loop formation of each cord 6 having engagementaround an individual sheave or pulley 9.

In the specific construction shown in Figs.

10 and 11, the head or spider 8 consists of upper and lower disksbetween which the series of sheaves 9 are journaled as shown. The saiddisks are held in proper spaced relation by an interposed washer 10, andare heldin proper assembled relation by the nut 11 and screw-threadedshank of a pulley housing 12, as shown more particularly in Fig. 11.

13 designates a sheave or pulley journaled in the aforesaid pulleyhousing 12 and adapted to receive the upper end of the main pull cord orconnection 1 1 of the mechanism. Said main pull cord or connection 14 ispreferably of the same twin or loop form as the series of pull cords orconnections 6 above described, and at its other end the main cord orconnection 1 1 is attached to an operating mechanism, hereinafterdescribed in detail.

lVith the arrangement of the series of pull cords or connections 6 andmain pull cord or connection 1 1 as above described, a downward pullingstress on the main cord 14:, with a corresponding downward movement ofthe connecting head or spider 8, will move the inner portions of thepull cords 6 from their normal horizontal position shown in Fig. 1, toan inclined position with an individual movement of each pull cord 6along its length, adapted to impose a very powerful tensioning stressupon the drum head or membrane 2 aforesaid.

15 designates the usual carrying spider for the drum shell or body 1,and in the present structure is formed with a central tubular hub 16,adapted to fit and have supporting engagement with a tubular verticalstud or trunnion on the upper end of the hereinafter described universaljoint connection, so that the drum shell or body 1 and its carryingspider 15 are capable of a turning adjustment in a horizontal plane.

17 designates the supporting frame or floor base of the mechanism, whichin the preferred form shown in the drawings comprises a tubular verticalsleeve or member 17, a fixed longitudinal bar on foot 18, and a pair oflateral feet or members 19 preferably of the hinged or folding typeshown I in Figs. 1 and 6.

20 designates vertical track rails secured to the frame 17 and formingguides for the vertically moving carriage 21 of the tensioning mechanismof the main pull cord 14 aforesaid. In the preferred construction shownin Figs. 5 and 7, the carriage 21 is provided with track wheels 22 andwith journal orifices for the Windlass drum now to be described.

23 designates the primary tensionmg Windlass or drum, journaled in thecarriage 21 aforesaid, and provided with an operating handle or key 2 1and with a ratchet rlm 25 adapted for engagement with a spring pawl 26on the carriage, so as to be locked at any required turning adjustmentto which the said Windlass or drum 23 may have been moved by its key orhandle 24 aforesaid. The lower end of the main pull cord 14: is attachedto and winds upon the said windlass or drum 23, and the above describedadjusting means provides for an initial tensioning stress upon said mainpull cord 14, and for a change in such initial stress as the judgment ofthe player may suggest.

27 designates a longitudinally extending operating foot lever formedwith a short angularly disposed extension or arm 28 which is pivoted atits upper end between pivot brackets 29 on the tubular sleeve 17 of thesupporting frame 17 aforesaid. The arm 28 constitutes one member of atoggle structure the other member or link 30 of which is pivotallyconnected at one end to the arm 28 at its point of juncture with thefoot lever 27, while the other end of the link 30 is pivotally connectedto the carriage 21 aforesaid. With the above described construction adownward movement of the foot lever 27 causes a straightening movementof the aforesaid toggle members, which in turn imparts a very powerfuldownward movement to the carriage 21 and main pull cord 14 to attain therequired degree of tension stress on the drum head or membrane 2.

31 and 32 designates a pair of circular pivot ears or heads adapted forsurface frictional engagement and constituting a portion of theaforesaid universal joint or connection between the drum carrying spider15 and the supporting frame 17 of the instrument. In the presentconstruction the heads 31, 32 are located to one side of the verticalcenter of the instrument, in order to admit of a clearpassage for andmovement of the main pull cord 14.

33 designates a stud bolt passing centrally through the pivot cars 31',32, and having an adjusting nut at one end by means of which thefrictional holding stress between said pivot ears is regulated.

34L designates an idler sheave carried by the stud bolt 33 for guidingengagement with the main pull cord 14L, as shown in Figs. 1, 6, and 8.

35 designates a curved bracket piece forming a fixed part of the pivotear 31 aforesaid, and having a round and horizontally disposed stem ortrunnion 36 adapted for turning engagement in the connecting piece ortrunk now to be descrlbed.

37 designates a vertical stem forming a part of the connecting piece ortrunk above referred to, and adapted to fit and have vertical adjustmentin the sleeve portion 17 of the supporting frame 17 aforesaid. The stem37 is held to its vertical adjustment by a clamping bolt 38 passingthrough bracket ears at the sides of a vertical slit in the sleeve 17 asshown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 9.

39 designates a split sleeve forming a part of the stem 37 aforesaid,and disposed in a horizontal direction at the upper end of said item 37.Said sleeve 39 receives the stem or trunnion 36 aforesaid, and isadapted to hold said stem in its different turning adjustment by aclamping bolt 40 passing through bracket ears at the side of the slit insaid sleeve 39.

41 designates a tubular vertical trunnion constituting a fixed part ofthe pivot ear 32 aforesaid, and adapted for engagement with the centraltubular hub 16 of the drum carrying spider 15 heretofore described, andwith its bore adapted to receive and afford a free passage for the mainpull cord 14. With the above described formation and association ofparts, a universal adjustment of the instrument to bring its head ormembrane 2 to any plane which the player may desire, can be readily andeffectively made.

42 designates an upright segmental holding bar or rod having fixedattachment at its lower end tothe longitudinal foot 18 of the supportingframe 17, and passing through an orifice or passage formed therefor inthe foot lever 27 aforesaid.

43 designates a cramp piece or bar pivoted at one end to the foot lever27 and having a central orifice encircling the holding bar 42 aforesaid.In its raised position in right angle relation to the rod 42, said cramppiece 43 is adapted to permit a free movement upon said rod 42, while inits depressed position in oblique relation to the rod 42. Said cramppiece is adapted to bind the sides of its central orifice upon the rod42 to prevent any independent move ment between the parts and attain alocking of the foot lever 27, at any desired adjustment.

44 designates a spring tending to yield ingly maintain the cramp piece43 in the oblique and engaging position above described.

45 designates a rock lever pivoted on the foot lever 27 with one end.adapted for manual-operation, while the other end has engagement beneaththe cramp piece 43 and adapted to lift the same into the raised anddisengaged position above described.

46 designates an abutment collar adjustably attached to the rod 42 andadapted in a final downward movement of the foot lever 27 to contactwith the cramp piece 43 and automatically move the same into thedisengaged position above described.

Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a musical instrument of thetype described, a supporting frame, a shell or body mounted on saidframe, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head,a series of primary pull connections associated with said rim, a mainpull connection common to series of pull connections, a verticallymovable carriage connected to said main pull connection, and a footlever pivoted to the supporting frame and operatively connected to saidcarriage.

2. In a musical instrument of the type decribed, a supporting frame, ashell or body mounted on said frame, a membranous head therefor, a rigidborder rim carrying said head, a series of primary pull connectionsassociated with said rim and connected in common to a centrally disposedhead, a main pull connection attached to said central head, a verticallymovable carriage connected to said main pull connection, and a footlever pivoted to the supporting frame and operatively connected to saidcarriage.

3. In a musical instrument of the type described, a supporting frame, ashell or body, mounted on said frame, a membranous head therefor, arigid border rim carrying said head, a series of primary pullconnections associated with said rim and connection in common to acentrally disposed head, a main pull connection attached to said centralhead, a vertically movable carriage connected to said main pullconnection, and a foot lever pivoted to the supporting frame andoperatively connected to said carriage, each primary pull connectionbeing of a loop form and attached to the central head by a connectingsheave.

4. In a musical instrument of the type described, a supporting frame, ashell or body mounted on said frame, a membranous head therefor, a rigidborder rim carrying said head, a series of primary pull connectionsattached to said rim by a series of hooks having individually adjustablehearing screws, a main pull connection common to the series of pullconnections, a vertically movable carriage connected to said main pullconnection, and a foot lever pivoted to the supporting frame andoperatively connected to said carriage.

5. In a musical instrument of the type described, a supporting frame, ashell or body mounted on said frame, a membranous head therefor, a rigidboarder rim carrying said head, a series of primary pull connectionsattached to said rim by a series of hooks having individually adjustablebearing screws, said primary pull connections being connected in commonto a central head, a main pull connection attached to said central head,a vertically movable carriageconnected to said main pull connection,and-a foot lever pivoted to the supporting frame and operativelyconnectedto said carriage.

6. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull connections, a supporting framefor the instrument body, a carriage having vertical movement on saidframe and connected to the main pull connection, a foot lever pivoted tosaid frame, and a toggle link connecting said lever to said carriage.

7. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pu 1lconnections associated with said rim, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull connections, a supporting framefor the instrument body, a carriage having vertical movement on saidframe and connected to the main pull connection, a foot lever pivoted tosaid frame, a toggle link connecting said lever to said carriage, andmeans for locking said lever at any desired adj ustment,

8. In a musical instrument of the type de-' scribed, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnected in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pull connectionattached to said central head, a supporting frame for the instrumentbody, a carriage having vertical movement on said frame and connected tothe main pull connection, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, and atoggle link connecting said lever to said carriage.

9. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnected in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pull connectionattached to said central head, a supporting frame for the instrumentbody, a carriage having vertical movement on said frame and connected tothe main pull connection, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, a togglelink connecting said lever to said carriage, and means for locking saidlever at any desired adjustment.

10. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull connections, a supporting framefor the instrument body, a carriage having vertical movement on saidframe, a revoluble Windlass mounted on said carriage and havingattachment with the main pull connection, a pawl and ratchet mechanismassociated with said Windlass, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, and atoggle link connecting said lever to said carriage.

11.v In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull connections, a supporting framfor the instrument body, a carriage having vertical move ment on saidframe, a revoluble Windlass mounted on said carriage and havingattachment with the main pull connection, a pawl and ratchet mechanismassociated with said Windlass, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, atoggle link connecting said lever to said carriage, and means forlocking said lever at any desired adjustment.

12. In a musical instrumentof the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnected in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pullconnection, attached to said cen tral head, a supporting frame for theinstrument body, a carriage having vertical movement on said frame, arevoluble Windlass mounted on said carriage and having attachment to themain pull connection, a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated with saidWindlass, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, and togglelink connectingsaid lever to said carriage.

13. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnection in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pullconnection attached to said central head, a supporting frame for theinstrument body, a carriage having vertical movement on said frame, arevoluble windless mounted 011 said carriage and having attachment tothe main pull connection, a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated withsaid Windlass, a foot lever pivoted to said frame, a toggle linkconnecting said lever to said carriage, and means for locking saidleverat any desired adjustment.

14. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull con nections, means for imposinga pulling stress on said main connection, and a supporting frameadjustably connected to the instrument body by a universal couplinghaving pivot ears arranged to one side of the vertical axis of therevoluble connection of said coupling with the instrument bodfy.

15. In a musical instrument 0 the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefore, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnected in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pull connectionattached to said central head, means for imposing a pulling stress onsaid main connection, and a supporting frame adjustably connected to theinstrument body by a universal coupling having pivot ears arranged toone side of the vertical axis of the revoluble connection of saidcoupling with the instrument bodfy.

16. In a musical instrument 0 the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections associated with said rim andconnected in common to a centrally disposed head, a main pull connectionattached to said cen-. tral head, means for imposing a pullin stress onsaid main connection, each pul connection being of a loop form andattached to the central head by a connecting sheave, and a supportingframe adjustably connected to the instrument body by a universalcoupling having pivot ears arranged to one side of the vertical axis ofthe revoluble connection of said coupling with the instrument body.

17. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, amembranous head therefor, a rigid border rim carrying said head, aseries of primary pull connections attached to said rim by a series ofshackle hooks having individually adjustable bearing screws, a main pullconnection common to the series of pull connections, means for imposinga pulling stress on said main pull connection, and a supporting frameadjustably connected to the instrument body by a universal couplinghaving pivot ears arranged to one side of the vertical axis of therevoluble connection of said coupling with the instrument body.

18. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, acarrying spider for the said body provided with a central hub, asupporting frame, and a universal coupling between said spider andframe, said coupling having a vertical tubular trunnion engaging the hubof the spider and pivot ears arranged to one side of the vertical axisof said trunnion.

19. In a musical instrument of the type described, a shell or body, acarrying spider for said body, a supporting frame, and a universalcoupling, one member of which is attached to the aforesaid spider andthe other member of which is attached to the aforesaid frame, saidcoupling having a central passage.

20. In a musical instrument of the type described, a supporting frame, ashell or body mounted on said frame, a membranous head therefor, a rigidborder rim carrying said head, a series of primary connections,associated with said rim, a main operative connection common to theseries of primary connections, a movable carriage having adjustableattachment to said main operative connection, and a foot leveroperatively connected to said movable carriage.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 24th day of November, 1919.

ROBERT C. DA-NLY.

